“What was the reason for it?”
“Ye were growing in too large of numbers for our liking. We were concerned that yer power would overcome our clan especially in light of history passed. We were concerned ye’d overpower us. After we saw that ye’d merely had a growth but no misuse of power, we rescinded it. He kept the pact with the promise that he’d burn it. We know now that he did not.”
“What is the issue now?”
Douglas looked at James. “My son and yer daughter.”
“What about them?”
“He sees it as a strengthening of our clans and alliance with a second marriage uniting our clans, especially a marriage between our sons and daughters, just as our rescinded pact would’ve provided, except it would have been with the Kerrs.”
“Relations will remain the same. We have no issue with the Kerrs.”
Douglas shook his head. “Thatmanis missing a few daggers from his arsenal, Malcolm. It willna matter.”
Surprised, he inclined his head. “Is this a serious matter then?”
“Verra serious,” James responded, clenching his hands.
Throughout their discussion, Malcom and Douglas had noticed James’ body movements betraying his irritation.
“I would like to speak to Katie.”
Malcolm nodded. “Aye.”
James' steps were hurried as he left.
“James is quite enamored of yer lass.”
Malcolm took a swallow of his drink. “The feeling is quite mutual, Douglas.”
Malcolm’s gaze traveled from the door James just walked through to Douglas.
“So now that they have left, tell me truthfully what else is the matter. I have a feeling there is much left undisclosed.”
Douglas grunted and tossed back his ale. His eyes fixed on Malcolm’s.
“I’d never seen Boyd Kerr like he was when he came trying to assert the terms of the pact. He had been unusually cocky, strutting like a proud bird.”
“Truly?”
Douglas nodded. “Aye. No longer was he the doubtful insecure laird.”
“And this worries ye?”
Douglas nodded again. “Aye. What James doesna know is that Boyd is demanding enforcement of the pact or face war.”
Malcolm stood. “War?”
Douglas nodded as Malcolm sat back down. “War. As if history hasna shown our clans the disaster war reeps. Our clans faced near destruction once.”
“We did, but they doona have a large enough clan of fighting men.”
“Aye. Ye’re correct. So tell me then, since ye now see the basis of my confusion and concern, how thatmancame before me strutting himself like a peacock.”
They stared at one another wondering what Kerr knew that they did not.
Chapter Eleven
Katie smiled as she relaxed the hand that was poised over her sword. She heard light movement nearby. While it was subtle and would force one to believe it was just an animal, she knew it was him.
Her Sweet James.
She was now able to discern different sounds such as that of small animals, larger animals, and clansmen.
She stood waiting for him, arms crossed. Once he appeared, he grinned at her.
“Certain of yer abilities, eh lass?”
She nodded, smiling. “I’ve been taught well.”
He opened his arms and she ran into them.
“I missed ye.”
He kissed her head. “Nay as much as I missed ye.”
She looked up at the towering, complicated man before her. Her eyes rested on his lips as he grinned, then moved to his dimples as they appeared. She raised her hand to his cheek.
“I doona like parting from ye.”
He moved his cheek against her hand. “Then we are of similar minds, lass, for I doona wish to leave yer side.”
“Stay?”
He shook his head. “I canna.”
“Stand behind me.”
James had a curious look to him. “Why lass?”
She looked at him sternly, and he raised his hands in playful submission, moving backwards. Katie stood in front of him, her back facing him, and raised her arms on the side of her, level with her shoulders.
And she fell backwards.
James swooped and caught her, arms wrapping around her middle.
“Are ye mad, lass?”
His whisper sent shivers through her. His mouth touched her ear subtly, and she found that she didn’t mind.
Not even a little.
“I knew ye’d catch me.”
Was her voice breathless?
“What if I hadna seen ye or reached for ye in time?”
Her whisper was quiet just as the birds around her stilled.
“I trust ye.”
He dipped his head further down. He lips touched her ears a bit more, causing a shiver to course through her.
“Thank ye, lass.”
She moved backwards, closer to him. “For what?”
“For believing me without pause. For trusting me.”
Her lips pulled at one side and a glimmer entered into her eyes.
“Why would I not? How could I not? Ye’ve been so wonderful to me, my Sweet James.”
His laugh was deep, and it vibrated within his chest. He gently turned her around, his eyes focusing first on her expanding lips and then to her twinkling eyes.
“Ye know, lass, that anymanwho would dare speak to me thusly, would face my sword.”
She rubbed his cheek again. “I consider myself most fortunate then.”
He grew serious. “I am the fortunate one, lass. That ye trust in me and my word. It is one of the greatest gifts ye could ever bestow upon me.”
“May I give ye another gift?”
He nodded, and she stood on her tiptoes and touched her lips to his.
His arms slowly wound around her as their kiss deepened. His hand traveled upwards and sunk into her glorious hair. After a few more moments, he pulled back and rested his forehead on hers.
“My beautiful stòr.”
Her eyes were watery when she spoke her next words. “I no longer hesitate.”
His smile was gentle. “Aye. And as we move forward, ye will soon feel freedom again and nay be shy about contact.”
She shook her head. “Only with ye, James.”
He kissed her forehead and spread his plaid on the ground. She relaxed upon it while he settled beside her. Katie turned then, and neared him, cuddling to his side. James wrapped his arm around her.
Sighing, she said, “Clear night. The stars are lovely and bright.”
His eyes opened to stare above him. Just having her near and next to him soothed his soul.
His worry ebbed some. He’d been sensing his father keeping something from him. Katie made those thoughts recede.
“Aye. They are.”
“Will ye leave soon?”
He nodded. “We must. After we see the bairn and Maddie, we will leave.”
“For how long?”
He slowly shook his head and kissed the top of hers.
“I’m nay sure, lass.”
“Will Kerr succeed in enforcing the pact?”
James moved fast and before Katie knew it, she was on her back with him looming above. Only his torso hovered above, his lower body remaining on the ground next to her.
She gasped.
“Never.”
The passionate way he said that word and the hard glint in his eyes made her breath hard to catch.
One hand touched the side of her face.
“It is just ye and I, Katie. If ye’ll have me.” He looked deeply into her eyes. “I want ye and nay other.”
Her eyes studied his. “But what if he makes trouble for ye and the clan.”
“I’m a simple man, Katie. I’ve never wanted much except shelter above my head, food in my belly, and a clan to call home. Since having met ye, ye caused a fourth desire to be born in my heart. I want to share my life with ye, and have bairns of our own. No one will tak
e ye away from me. No one.”
She swallowed a lump in her throat, moved in many directions by his words. She chose her greatest concern and fear to address first.
“James, it may be all for naught. What if I canna beget a bairn with ye. We can share a kiss but I doona know how I will be able to…lay with ye.”
She wasn’t looking at him any longer.
“I’d hate to disappoint ye after ye sacrificed much for me.”
He gently turned her head towards him. He kissed her tenderly and spoke softly.
“We doona know what will occur until the moment comes upon us. The when and if of that, is entirely up to ye, lass. It is yer decision. I will take ye however I can have ye in my life. Ye are worth any sacrifice or hardship that may come.”
Her breath was tremulous. Delicate tears rolled down her cheeks. She brought her hands up, framing his face.
“I love ye, James.”
He inhaled sharply, his eyes transfixed on the green peeking through the honey of her eyes.
“I love ye, mo stòr. Deeply. In my heart. In my soul. I’ll love ye for the remainder of my life.”
She rose upwards, wrapped her arms around his wide shoulders, and kissed him. Although James wanted to devour her mouth, make love to her with his, his kiss with her was painfully slow.
Placing Katie above his lust was difficult. While he wanted to give her time to familiarize herself with him, he was not immune to her.
She was bewitching.
She was glorious.
Everything about this woman screamed to him as a man.
Katie was a beautiful woman, in appearance and in heart, and he wanted every part of her.
And he would only take that which she’d willingly give him.
Because he loved her.
Love.
Deeply and so purely, it surprised him.
James felt her shift and moved backwards. He’d cut his fighting arm off before he’d hurt her.
“Was that a bit much for ye, lass?”
She smiled and shook her head. “Nay. I believe that I am becoming accustomed to our touching and kissing.”
His smile was disarming. “That is good, lass. Our pace is solely yer decision and at yer discretion.”
She studied his face. “Thank ye, Sweet James.”
She laughed when he growled into her neck.
They returned to the keep and Douglas and James rose to meet their new granddaughter and niece.
Anne.
Katie had given them a private moment with the baby and Maddie, but not before she’d seen the glimmer of tears in Laird Menzies’ eyes.
What a shame he’d been separated from Anne, Maddie’s mother, and never knew about Maddie until a short while ago. While kidnapping Maddie’s mother for ransom had not been a noble thing to do, he’d more than suffered the consequences of his bad action when he had to live the remainder of his life without her.
But at least he had Maddie. And now he had baby Anne.
Before James and his father left, he’d shared a few private words with her.
They’d agreed to meet every fifth day at their loch. He didn’t want her to be alone there waiting for him without guard when it wasn’t certain when he’d be able to travel to see her.
They’d shared a soft kiss and James had rested his forehead on hers, something she’d grown to love. Staring into her eyes, he’d told her he loved her. Katie returned the words and he smiled at as he left.
When he was nearly out of view, he turned his horse towards her and placed two fingers over his heart. Katie mirrored his actions and kissed her two fingers.
When Katie could no longer make him and his father out in the distance, she returned to her room. The thought of not seeing him for several days made her heart hurt.
And there she had her answer.
She loved James with her entire being.
And she’d give anything to never be separated from him again.
Chapter Twelve
“What do you mean I cannot leave for some fresh air? You have more guards than I’ve strands of hair on my head. Certainly they would ensure that a little woman wouldn’t leave the divine presence of their heroic laird.”
Douglas’ face reddened with each sarcastic word out of her foul mouth.
Damn Englishwoman.
Of all the women he could have chosen to ransom, he’d chosen this one. This-
Sarcastic.
Intelligent.
Annoying.
Sweet.
-mite of a woman.
Because her eyes and hair and body had called out to him from a distance.
And her surname had tempted him further.
Douglas growled. “D’ye ever stop speaking? Ye also have more words than I’ve strands of hair on my beard.”
She was enchanting.
When he’d seen her from a distance, he thought he’d seen light surround her, as if she’d visited from the Heavens.
A purity of soul.
But a curse of her tongue. It was sharp and quick.
“Can I nay have just a moment of silence?”
“Nay! You cannot! I did not ask to be kidnapped for ransom, sir. You did that. I simply want some fresh air for these starved lungs.”
His fists clenched.
“Father, I completed the task ye asked of me,” James said, walking into the room.
Fantastic.
“James, lad, I’ve another task for ye. Take Lady Anne outside and watch her closely as she inhales her fill of fresh Scottish air.”
“Aye, Da.”
Anne’s smile transformed her face and caught more than Douglas’ attention.
He’d forgotten to breathe.
“Thank you for the company, James. Such a fine young man you are.”
James’ chest puffed outwards under her praise as they walked outside.
“Infuriating woman,” he said, turning back to his fireplace.
“Father!”
Douglas turned from the flames to find his son watching him concernedly.
Finding himself in present-day rather than in his memories with Anne where he longed to be, he raised his eyebrows.
“Ye were on the other side of Scotland, Da.”
“What is it, James?”
“Kerr rides up.”
Douglas twisted his lips. “Finally, the focking twit.”
James laughed. It had been two weeks since they’d visited his little niece.
Two weeks since he’d seen his Katie.
James had sent a messenger telling her of his inability to meet as they’d agreed.
Waiting for this cursed bastard to make his appearance.
“There is one issue I didna mention to ye before. I didna wish to worry ye, and I wanted ye to spend yer time with Katie with peace of mind.”
James’ eyes narrowed on his father’s.
“What is it?”
“He threatened war if we doona move forward with the pact.”
“Da. I wish ye’d have mentioned this to me before now.”
Douglas waved him off. “Let us wait and see what the ass has to say now.”
The peacock strolled into their keep. He was of short stature. Mayhap that’s why his ego and paranoia were so large.
As far as James was concerned, he was compensating for his height.
Or perhaps for another small physical attribute.
“Fine day, Menzies. Fine day it’s been,” he said by way of greeting.
Douglas snorted taking a sip of spirits from his goblet.
“For some, perhaps.”
Kerr had the gall to widen his smile.
“Come now, what is amiss? ‘Tis a grand day to strengthen alliances.”
James stood and walked over.
“Nay when the the strengthening ye speak of involves the actions of a third who isna interested.” James crossed his arms.
“Well, opinions can change.”
James looked at him steadily in the eyes, jaw cl
enched.
“Mine willna.”
Kerr turned to Douglas.
“Run along, James, and let the men speak.”
Insinuating that James was a boy when he was more than a good head taller than him?
Never.
James’ pace when he walked over to Kerr was calm and measured, making it all the more threatening. The air in the keep grew thick with anticipation. The men around them waited without so much as a breath through their noses.
When James stood in front of Kerr and saw him swallow as he looked up, James felt a measure of satisfaction.
“Decisions made for this clan are made by both my father and I, seeing as how I’ll be laird after him and will be bound by what transpires during his rule. If that is an issue for ye, Kerr,” James looked at the door and nodded before returning his eyes to Kerr’s, “ye’d do well to leave. Now.”
Kerr looked at Douglas, who shrugged and drank out of his goblet. Douglas was amused.
James’ focus never left Kerr.
One of the best attributes after his strength, skill, and wit, was his perceptiveness.
And there it was.
A nervous look and action by the peacock.
Kerr looked away and wiped his hands on his plaid. When he looked back, his demeanor had returned.
“Ye’ve decisions to be made. Both of ye. We’ve a pact that needs to be upheld.”
Douglas snorted. “This again?”
“It is only about this.”
“This isna going to occur, Kerr. Best move on.”
Kerr threw an annoyed glance at James for the acerbic words.
“I’ll give ye one additional opportunity to decide, to come to the realization that it is the only solution before hell rises from the hills and into the Highlands. Ye will experience great consequences. Clans can be lost, and so can love interests.”
Kerr’s eyes were focused on James, whose demeanor progressed from cold anger to hot fury. From one moment to the next, James moved faster than anyone could have anticipated. Douglas reached out and held him still, nodding to guards to be at the ready.
“Not. Now. Calm!”
He’d whispered those words to his son but they did little to stop James’ rising anger.
James made to walk to Kerr again but Douglas tightened his restraining hand.
“Kerr, ye’re quite fortunate my father is here, otherwise, we’d be having to clean the floors of blood stains. Threaten anything of ours again, or her again, and I will be using yer bones to pick my teeth.”
The Highlander Who Loved Me (Heart of a Highlander Collection Book 4) Page 7